Israeli English-language news network closer to reality

Israel's Ministerial Committee on Legislation on Sunday was scheduled to vote on a bill requiring the establishment of 24-hour satellite news networks in English and Arabic.

The bill was submitted by former Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) head Nachman Shai, who is now a Knesset member from the leftist Kadima Party.

Shai's bill has the support of many lawmakers from across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A 24-hour English-language Israeli news network has been a goal for many years now. The IBA has been working on establishing one, but as a public company, it has lacked the funds and resources needed to do so.

Shai's bill is expected to either expedite the IBA's efforts, or create the right conditions for a privately-owned news network to be established.

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